Riken Yamamoto Receives the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize

Chicago, IL (March 5, 2024) – The Pritzker Architecture Prize announces Riken Yamamoto, of Yokohama, Japan, as the 2024 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the award that is regarded internationally as architecture’s highest honor.

Yamamoto, architect and social advocate, establishes kinship between public and private realms, inspiring harmonious societies despite a diversity of identities, economies, politics, infrastructures, and housing systems. Deeply embedded in upholding community life, he asserts that the value of privacy has become an urban sensibility, when in fact, members of a community should sustain one another. He defines community as a “sense of sharing one space,” deconstructing traditional notions of freedom and privacy while rejecting longstanding conditions that have reduced housing into a commodity without relation to neighbors. Instead, he bridges cultures, histories and multi-generational citizens, with sensitivity, by adapting international influence and modernist architecture to the needs of the future, allowing life to thrive.

“For me, to recognize space, is to recognize an entire community,” Yamamoto expresses. “The current architectural approach emphasizes privacy, negating the necessity of societal relationships. However, we can still honor the freedom of each individual while living together in architectural space as a republic, fostering harmony across cultures and phases of life.”

Pangyo Housing
Pangyo Housing, photo courtesy of Nam Goongsun

The 2024 Jury Citation states, in part, that he was selected “for creating awareness in the community in what is the responsibility of the social demand, for questioning the discipline of architecture to calibrate each individual architectural response, and above all for reminding us that in architecture, as in democracy, spaces must be created by the resolve of the people...”

By reconsidering boundary as a space, he activates the threshold between public and private lives, achieving social value with every project, as each abounds with places for engagement and chance encounters. Small- and large-scale built works alike demonstrate masterly qualities of the spaces themselves, providing focus on the life that each one frames. Transparency is utilized so that those from within may experience the environment that lies beyond, while those passing by may feel a sense of belonging. He offers a consistent continuity of landscape, designing in discourse to the preexisting natural and building environments to contextualize the experience of each building.

He has evolved influences from traditional Japanese machiya and Greek oikos housing that existed in relationship to cities, when connectivity and commerce were essential to the vitality of every family. He designed his own home, GAZEBO (Yokohama, Japan 1986) to invoke interaction with neighbors from terraces and rooftops. Ishii House (Kawasaki, Japan 1978), built for two artists, features a pavilion-like room, that extends outdoors and serves as a stage to host performances, while living quarters are embedded beneath.

Shinonome Canal Court CODAN
Shinonome Canal Court CODAN, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi

“Yamamoto develops a new architectural language that doesn’t merely create spaces for families to live, but creates communities for families to live together,” says Tom Pritzker, Chair of the Hyatt Foundation, which sponsors the award. “His works are always connected to society, cultivating a generosity in spirit and honoring the human moment.”

Larger housing projects also embody relational elements, assuring that even residents who live alone don’t dwell in isolation. Pangyo Housing (Seongnam, Republic of Korea 2010), a complex of nine low-rise housing blocks is designed with nonprescriptive transparent ground floor volumes that catalyze interconnectedness between neighbors. A communal deck across the second floor encourages interaction, featuring spaces for gathering, playgrounds, gardens and bridges that connect one housing block to another.

Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station
Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi

“One of the things we need most in the future of cities is to create conditions through architecture that multiply the opportunities for people to come together and interact. By carefully blurring the boundary between public and private, Yamamoto contributes positively beyond the brief to enable community,” explains Alejandro Aravena, Jury Chair and 2016 Pritzker Prize Laureate. “He is a reassuring architect who brings dignity to everyday life. Normality becomes extraordinary. Calmness leads to splendor.”

Civic buildings achieving specific functions also affirm public purpose and assurance. The Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station (Hiroshima, Japan, 2000), appears entirely transparent, with its glass louvered façade and interior glass walls. Visitors and passersby may view through to the central atrium to witness the daily activity and training of firefighters, and are encouraged to grow acquainted with the civil servants who protect them in the many designated public areas of the building. Fussa City Hall (Tokyo, Japan 2008) is conceived as two mid-rise towers, rather than one high-rise to compliment the surrounding neighborhood of low-rise buildings. Concave bases invite visitors to recline and rest, while green public rooftop and lower levels are designated for flexible public programming.

Saitama Prefectural University (Koshigaya, Japan 1999), specializing in nursing and health sciences, is composed of nine buildings connected by terraces that transition into walkways leading to transparent volumes that allow views from one classroom to another, but also from one building to the next, encouraging interdisciplinary learning. Such fellowship is fostered even within the youngest generations at Koyasu Elementary School (Yokohama, Japan 2018), which features generous, undivided terraces extending learning spaces, permitting sights into and from each classroom, and encouraging relationships amongst students across grades levels.

Yokosuka Museum of Art
Yokosuka Museum of Art, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi

He considers the user experience first, designing Yokosuka Museum of Art (Yokosuka, Japan 2006) as both a destination for travelers and a daily reprieve for locals. While the inviting serpentine entrance evokes the surrounding Tokyo Bay and nearby mountains, many of the galleries are underground, providing those who approach with a clear, undisturbed visual experience of the natural geography. Visitors may view through to the landscape and other galleries from round cutouts in all common spaces, uniting these otherwise distinctive environments so that those inside are impressed upon not only by the artwork, but by the activity of others in the spaces alongside them.

His career has spanned five decades and his projects, ranging from private residences to public housing, elementary schools to university buildings, institutions to civic spaces, and city planning, are located throughout Japan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea and Switzerland. Significant built works also include Nagoya Zokei University (Nagoya, Japan, 2022), THE CIRCLE at Zürich Airport (Zürich, Switzerland, 2020), Tianjin Library (Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, 2012), Jian Wai SOHO (Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 2004), Ecoms House (Tosu, Japan, 2004), Shinonome Canal Court CODAN (Tokyo, Japan, 2003), Future University Hakodate (Hakodate, Japan, 2000), Iwadeyama Junior High School (Ōsaki, Japan, 1996) and Hotakubo Housing (Kumamoto, Japan, 1991).

Yamamoto is the 53rd Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the ninth to hail from Japan. He was born in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, and resides in Yokohama, Japan. He will be honored in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America this spring and the 2024 Laureate Lecture will be held at S. R. Crown Hall, Illinois Institute of Technology, in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center, on May 16th, open to the public in-person and online.

The following are images of the architecture of Riken Yamamoto.

These images may be downloaded and distributed only in relation to the announcement of Riken Yamamoto being named the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate.

The photographer/photo libraries/artists must be credited if noted.

All images are copyright of the respective photographers and artists cited, and courtesy of the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Click on each image to download a high-resolution file.

Captions for these images are in the 2024 Image Book, available here.

Download the 2024 Media Kit here.

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Riken Yamamoto

Riken Yamamoto, photo courtesy of Tom Welsh
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Yamakawa Villa

Yamakawa Villa, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Yamakawa Villa

Yamakawa Villa, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Yamakawa Villa

Yamakawa Villa, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Ishii House

Ishii House, photo courtesy of Shinkenchiku Sha
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Ishii House

Ishii House, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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GAZEBO

GAZEBO, photo courtesy of Ryuuji Miyamoto
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GAZEBO

GAZEBO, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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GAZEBO

GAZEBO, photo courtesy of Shigeru Ohno
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Hotakubo Housing

Hotakubo Housing, photo courtesy of Shinkenchiku Sha
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Hotakubo Housing

Hotakubo Housing, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Hotakubo Housing

Hotakubo Housing, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Hotakubo Housing

Hotakubo Housing, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Iwadeyama Junior High School

Iwadeyama Junior High School, photo courtesy of Mitsumasa Fujitsuka
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Iwadeyama Junior High School

Iwadeyama Junior High School, photo courtesy of Mitsumasa Fujitsuka
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Iwadeyama Junior High School

Iwadeyama Junior High School, photo courtesy of Shinkenchiku Sha
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Saitama Prefectural University

Saitama Prefectural University, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Saitama Prefectural University

Saitama Prefectural University, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Saitama Prefectural University

Saitama Prefectural University, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Saitama Prefectural University

Saitama Prefectural University, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Saitama Prefectural University

Saitama Prefectural University, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station

Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station

Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station

Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station

Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station

Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Future University of Hakodate

Future University of Hakodate, photo courtesy of Isao Aihara
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Future University of Hakodate

Future University of Hakodate, photo courtesy of Mitsumasa Fujitsuka
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Future University of Hakodate

Future University of Hakodate, photo courtesy of Mitsumasa Fujitsuka
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Shinonome Canal Court CODAN

Shinonome Canal Court CODAN, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Shinonome Canal Court CODAN

Shinonome Canal Court CODAN, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop

 

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Ecoms House

Ecoms House, photo courtesy of Shinkenchiku Sha
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Ecoms House

Ecoms House, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Jian Wai SOHO

Jian Wai SOHO, photo courtesy of Mitsumasa Fujitsuka
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Jian Wai SOHO

Jian Wai SOHO, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Jian Wai SOHO

Jian Wai SOHO, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Jian Wai SOHO

Jian Wai SOHO, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Yokosuka Museum of Art

Yokosuka Museum of Art, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Yokosuka Museum of Art

Yokosuka Museum of Art, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Yokosuka Museum of Art

Yokosuka Museum of Art, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Yokosuka Museum of Art

Yokosuka Museum of Art, photo courtesy of Tomio Ohashi
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Fussa City Hall

Fussa City Hall, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Fussa City Hall

Fussa City Hall, photo courtesy of Sergio Pirrone
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Fussa City Hall

Fussa City Hall, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Pangyo Housing

Pangyo Housing, photo courtesy of Nam Goongsun
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Pangyo Housing

Pangyo Housing, photo courtesy of Kouichi Satake
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Pangyo Housing

Pangyo Housing, photo courtesy of Nam Goongsun
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Pangyo Housing

Pangyo Housing, photo courtesy of GA Photographers
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Tianjin Library

Tianjin Library, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Tianjin Library

Tianjin Library, photo courtesy of Nacasa & Partners
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Tianjin Library

Tianjin Library, photo courtesy of Nacasa & Partners
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Tianjin Library

Tianjin Library, photo courtesy of Nacasa & Partners
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Koyasu Elementary School

Koyasu Elementary School, photo courtesy of Mitsumasa Fujitsuka
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Koyasu Elementary School

Koyasu Elementary School, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Koyasu Elementary School

Koyasu Elementary School, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Koyasu Elementary School

Koyasu Elementary School, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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THE CIRCLE

THE CIRCLE at Zürich Airport, photo courtesy of Flughafen Zürich AG
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THE CIRCLE

THE CIRCLE at Zürich Airport, photo courtesy of Flughafen Zürich AG
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THE CIRCLE

THE CIRCLE at Zürich Airport, photo courtesy of Flughafen Zürich AG
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Nagoya Zokei University

Nagoya Zokei University, photo courtesy of Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
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Nagoya Zokei University

Nagoya Zokei University, photo courtesy of Shigeru Ohno
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Nagoya Zokei University

Nagoya Zokei University, photo courtesy of Shinkenchiku Sha
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Nagoya Zokei University

Nagoya Zokei University, photo courtesy of Shinkenchiku Sha
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Nagoya Zokei University

Nagoya Zokei University, photo courtesy of Shinkenchiku Sha

 

 

 

 

 

Ceremony Videos

Below are links to view ceremony videos for the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
These videos, featuring full-length and highlight reels, are also available by
visiting the individual Laureate sections.

 

Sir David Alan Chipperfield CH
2023 Laureate
The Ancient Agora, Athens, Greece 
Ceremony videos

 

Diébédo Francis Kéré
2022 Laureate
The Marshall Building, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom 
Ceremony videos

 

Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal
2021 Laureates
Online Ceremony
Ceremony videos

 

Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara
2020 Laureates
Online Ceremony
Ceremony videos

 

Arata Isozaki
2019 Laureate
Château de Versailles, Versailles, France
Ceremony videos

 

Balkrishna Doshi
2018 Laureate
Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, Canada
Ceremony videos

 

Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta
2017 Laureates
State Guest House, Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, Japan
Ceremony videos

 

Alejandro Aravena
2016 Laureate
United Nations Headquarters, New York, New York
Ceremony videos

 

Frei Otto
2015 Laureate
The New World Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Ceremony videos

 

Shigeru Ban
2014 Laureate
The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Ceremony videos

 

Toyo Ito
2013 Laureate
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum,
Boston, Massachusetts
Ceremony videos

 

Wang Shu
2012 Laureate
The Great Hall of the People, Beijing, 
The People’s Republic of China
Ceremony videos

 

Eduardo Souto de Moura
2011 Laureate
The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, Washington D.C.
Ceremony videos

 

Kazuyo Sejima & Ryue Nishizawa
2010 Laureates
Immigration Museum, Ellis Island, New York Bay
Ceremony videos

 

Peter Zumthor
2009 Laureate
Palace of the Buenos Aires City Legislature,
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ceremony videos
 

Jean Nouvel
2008 Laureate
The Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Ceremony videos

 

Richard Rogers
2007 Laureate
Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace, London, United Kingdom
Ceremony videos

 

Paulo Mendes da Rocha
2006 Laureate
Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, Turkey
Ceremony videos


Thom Mayne
2005 Laureate
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois
Ceremony videos


Zaha Hadid
2004 Laureate
State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Ceremony videos


Jørn Utzon
2003 Laureate
Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, Madrid, Spain
Ceremony videos


Glenn Murcutt
2002 Laureate
Michelangelo’s Campidoglio, Rome, Italy
Ceremony videos

 

Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron
2001 Laureates
Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia
Ceremony videos


Rem Koolhaas
2000 Laureate
Jerusalem Archaeological Park, Israel
Ceremony videos


 
 
 
 

Norman Foster
1999 Laureate
Altes Museum, Berlin, Germany
Ceremony videos

 

Renzo Piano
1998 Laureate
The White House, Washington, D.C.
Ceremony videos

 

Sverre Fehn
1997 Laureate
The construction site of the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain
Ceremony videos

 

Rafael Moneo
1996 Laureate
The construction site of the Getty Center, Los Angeles, California
Ceremony videos

 

Tadao Ando
1995 Laureate
Grand Trianon and the Palace of Versailles, France
Ceremony videos

 

Christian de Portzamparc
1994 Laureate
The Commons, Columbus, Indiana
Ceremony videos

 

Fumihiko Maki
1993 Laureate
Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Ceremony videos

 

Alvaro Siza
1992 Laureate
Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago, Illinois
Ceremony videos

 

Robert Venturi
1991 Laureate
Palacio de Iturbide, Mexico City, Mexico
Ceremony videos

 

Aldo Rossi
1990 Laureate
Palazzo Grassi, Venice, Italy
Ceremony videos

 

Frank Gehry
1989 Laureate
Todai-ji Buddhist Temple, Nara, Japan
Ceremony videos

 

Gordon Bunshaft &
Oscar Niemeyer
1988 Laureates
Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois
Bunshaft ceremony videos
Niemeyer ceremony videos

 

Kenzo Tange
1987 Laureate
Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas
Ceremony videos

 

Gottfried Böhm
1986 Laureate
Goldsmiths’ Hall, London, United Kingdom
Ceremony videos

 

Hans Hollein
1985 Laureate
Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
San Marino, California
Ceremony videos

 

Richard Meier
1984 Laureate
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Ceremony videos

 

I.M. Pei
1983 Laureate
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
Ceremony videos

 

Kevin Roche
1982 Laureate
Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois
Ceremony videos

 

James Stirling
1981 Laureate
National Building Museum, Washington, D.C.
Ceremony videos

 

Luis Barragán
1980 Laureate
Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C.
Ceremony videos

 

Philip Johnson
1979 Laureate
Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C.
Ceremony videos

Archive

The Pritzker Architecture Prize, founded in 1979, seeks to maintain many of the documents, images, videos, and other materials related to its history. If you have a specific query about rights and reproductions or other media-related questions, please contact Director of Communications Eunice Kim. For all other inquiries, please contact Executive Director Manuela Lucá-Dazio.

Archive - Richard Rogers
Terminal 4, Madrid Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain, 2005, Richard Rogers